The world's most expensive footballer was once just one of many prospects in Brazil. That all changed in 2010. Jack Lang remembers a breakout campaign of tricks, trophies and tantrums
How could it be that a goalscorer as prodigious as the Toxteth tyro remains so revered, yet also deemed a disappointment? Seb Stafford-Bloor recalls the season 'God' was outed as a Red
From a swing of the boot at Selhurst Park to becoming one of the most famous footballers in history. Amit Katwala revisits the season that Beckham took off
Thirty years before last season’s resurgence, Ajax had a similar renaissance thanks to a teenage schoolboy. Yet it was a late plane flight that made the non-flying Dutchman’s career take off...
A troubled exit from Brazil left the brilliant 21-year-old benched and fed up in France, yet the season ended with him in magical form and heading to the World Cup
Three years after an £11m move from West Ham, Lampard was a fine midfielder but yet to prove himself a special one. Then a new gaffer swaggered into Chelsea...
Hounded out of France as a troublemaker, distrusted by his manager at Leeds, the 26-year-old Cantona signed for Manchester United for £1.2m – and became a legend
